Monday, August 31, 2009

Fordham Students Raise Funds for Breast Cancer

Tanner Hartnett, a Fordham College at Rose Hill senior, wants the Fordham presence at this year’s Oct. 18th Breast Cancer Walk in Central Park to be huge. In fact, she’s planning an on-campus concert to raise awareness, as well as funds.

The concert is in the preparation stages and will take place sometime in October. It will feature several local bands.

Over the weekend, Tanner reached out to faculty and administrators through e-mail to encourage them to support this year’s effort by walking or contributing. The team wants to raise $10,000, doubling last year’s total of $5,000. They hope to increase participation, too (see last year's team above). Assisting Tanner as co-chairs of the Fordham team are fellow FCRH seniors Valeria Wynn and Madison Meyer.

“We’re hoping for 50 walkers, and a lot of supporters,” said Tanner, who said that Fordham’s Breast Cancer Walk group is not an official campus club so they must rely on donations for their events. “Breast cancer has affected most of us in some way, directly or indirectly. If we do fundraising now, hopefully it’s something our kids won’t have to worry about.”

If you can’t walk, you can donate money to support other walkers, or offer services: the organizers need help with photocopying, and they need volunteer speakers for their upcoming benefit concert on the Rose Hill campus. Tanner said anyone who has a personal story to tell or who could help transition the bands she is lining up is welcome to contact her.

Stay tuned here for details about the concert date. And sign up here to donate money to the Fordham Rams team.